Wallaby number 8 Isi Naisarani wins a lineout against the Springboks in Johannesburg. Photo: AFP
The recent debut of three Fijians in separate Tier One nation teams has highlighted the fact that the Fiji Rugby Union is sitting on a wealth of resources that if tapped dilligently and frugally will bring dividends in abundance. Continue reading
All Blacks 7s coach Sir Gordon. Photo: IRB
All Blacks Sevens head coach Gordon Tietjens has hinted that 2016’s Wellington event could be when the likes of Sonny Bill Williams feature.
Williams, Liam Messam, Ben Smith and Julian Savea are just some of the high profile international names talked about as possible Olympic Games hopefuls.
And with players needing to play four series events to be considered for Rio, Sevens head coach Tietjens admits it’s likely they could appear in Wellington.
“Logically, Wellington is perfect timing,” he told The Dominion Post.
With less than two years to go to Rio, experts will discuss the Olympic effect will have on Rugby. Photo: IRB
With just one month to go to the IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition 2014 (ConfEx) the IRB has announced speakers for the “Olympic Rugby Sevens – Faster, Higher, Stronger” panel session.
Bringing together experts from the Olympic world and the wider sporting landscape, the panel will discuss how Rugby can make a success of Rio 2016 and become a must-attend event at the Olympic Games.
IOC member Patrick Baumann, who is also Secretary-General of the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur (FIBA) will join the panel to provide insight and advice on what it takes to be a successful Olympic sport and how Rugby can make the most of the debut of Sevens at Rio 2016.
Filed under Conference, International, IRB, Olympics, Rio de Janeiro
Brazil’s men qualify automatically but the race to join them at Rio 2016 begins on the Gold Coast this weekend. Photo: IRB
International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset has described the beginning of qualification for Rugby Sevens’ debut at the Olympic Games as an historic moment for the sport.
Rugby will return to the Olympic stage after a break of 92 years when 12 teams will compete in each of the men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens events at Rio 2016. As excitement builds within the global Rugby family, the road to Rio will begin this weekend for the world’s top male teams with the Gold Coast Sevens in Australia.
Filed under Australia, Fiji Rugby Union, HSBC Sevens World Series, IRB, Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Sevens
Tuitavake has been talking to other Tongan players in the Top 14. Photo: Skysports
Former All Black Anthony Tuitavake has revealed that he has already spoken with a number of other players in France about the new IRB loophole which could allow players to switch nationalities despite having already featured at Test level.
The introduction of rugby sevens as an Olympic sport has seen a change to the IRB regulations on qualifying criteria, and it could allow international players to switch countries provided they have not featured at Test level for the last 18 months, and hold a passport for their ‘new’ country.
They would then have to feature internationally in an Olympic Sevens event, which includes the IRB Sevens World Series, the official qualifying tournament.
Fiji sevens coach Ben Ryan backs new IRB ruling which could see Rokocoko and Sivivatu playing for Fiji in the future. Photo: Skysports
Fiji Sevens head coach Ben Ryan is firmly behind the new IRB Regulation 8 to allow players a second chance at international rugby.
A number of players capped by New Zealand and Australia but born in the Pacific Islands are hoping to represent the countries of their birth or ancestry at next year’s Rugby World Cup under the new rules.
Speaking exclusively to Planet Rugby, Ryan outlined the developments behind the regulation coming into action ahead of the Olympics in 2016.
“It’s all come about because IOC (International Olympic Committee) regulations for eligibility are different to the IRB, so the passport has become crucial,” said Ryan.
171,000 fans attended the Rugby Sevens event at Ibrox Stadium during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset has hailed a record-breaking Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens event as the perfect Olympic Games springboard.
A Rugby Sevens world record crowd of more than 170,000 fans over four sessions were treated to thrills, spills and spectacular tries as the sport’s brand of high-octane action and carnival atmosphere demonstrated why it is one of the hottest Games tickets.
With two years to go until Rugby Sevens make its Olympic Games debut, fans in the stadium and watching around the world were given an exciting taste of what to expect at Rio 2016.
Lapasset said: “Glasgow 2014 has been the ideal stage to showcase our sport and the perfect springboard to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”
Filed under Commonwealth Games, IRB, Olympics, Rio de Janeiro
For real . . . South Africa wins gold in Glasgow after defeating New Zealand 17-12 in the final. Photo: Skysports
Rugby sevens’ debut at the Rio Olympics is set to be extended to a six-day event from the weekend festival that’s become commonplace at the Commonwealth Games and on the IRB world circuit.
But IRB chief executive officer Brett Gosper insists the integrity of the high intensity game won’t be compromised.
IOC officials have advised the IRB to try to increase the visibility of their sport if they wish to ensure sevens lasts longer than the guarantee of two Olympics it’s been given so far.
Filed under Commonwealth Games, Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Sevens
Ben Ryan and wife Natalie. Photo: The Rugby Paper
Stepping down from the England Sevens head coach role after six years in charge last August, Ben Ryan was set to take a year out and work as a consultant for UK Sport with the dream of leading Team GB to the Rio Olympics in 2016.
But a Skype interview in the middle of the night in his Teddington home turned his world upside down.
In the space of a few weeks, he packed his bags, took his wife Natalie with him and travelled to the other side of the world to become Fiji Sevens head coach.
Filed under Fiji Rugby Union, IRB Sevens series, Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Sevens
England to play lead for British berth in Olympics. Photo: IRB
England will try to qualify Team GB for the Rugby Sevens tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympics
England have been nominated by the British Unions (The Rugby Football Union, Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union) as the lead nation to attempt to qualify, on behalf of Team GB, for both the men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens competitions at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
For Team GB to qualify in the first qualification phase, the sides would be required to finish in the top four of the 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series (men’s) and IRB Women’s Sevens World series (women’s).
Filed under England, Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Sevens
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